Grocery Stores Near Baylor: The Student's Practical Guide
You just moved into your first off-campus apartment near Baylor, the mini fridge is empty, and you have no idea where to buy groceries in Waco. Sound familiar? If you grew up somewhere with a Kroger or Trader Joe's on every corner, Waco's grocery landscape takes some getting used to — especially since H-E-B recently closed its location nearest to campus and relocated.
This guide breaks down every grocery store near Baylor University, organized by what actually matters to students: distance, budget, hours, and whether you can get there without a car.
H-E-B Plus! — The Go-To for Everything
Address: 1821 South Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76711 Hours: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM, daily Drive from 19Eleven: ~10 minutes
H-E-B is Texas's grocery institution, and the Valley Mills location is the closest full-size store to the Baylor area. It's an H-E-B Plus!, which means it carries more than groceries — think home goods, electronics, clothing, and a full pharmacy.
Why students love it:
- H-E-B store brands are consistently rated among the best in Texas. Their Hill Country Fare and H-E-B Organics lines are significantly cheaper than name brands without sacrificing quality.
- Meal Deal combos rotate weekly — you can get a full dinner for two under $10
- Curbside pickup is free on orders over $35 through the H-E-B app
- Delivery is available through both the H-E-B app and Instacart, with delivery windows as early as 9 AM
No car? No problem. Baylor's Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) runs a free shuttle to H-E-B every Friday at 3:30 PM, departing from the 5th Street Circle. It's one of the best-kept secrets on campus. You can also take the Waco Transit bus from Baylor to H-E-B on Monday through Saturday with a $3 bus pass.
ALDI — Best for Budget Shopping
Address: 1220 N Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX Hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, daily Drive from 19Eleven: ~12 minutes
ALDI is where Baylor students on a tight budget should start. The store is smaller than H-E-B, but its private-label model means prices run 20-30% below conventional grocery stores on staples like milk, eggs, bread, pasta, and produce.
Tips for ALDI first-timers:
- Bring your own bags — ALDI charges for bags
- Have a quarter for the cart (you get it back when you return the cart)
- Check the "ALDI Finds" aisle for rotating deals on household items, snacks, and seasonal goods
- Stock up on basics here, then hit H-E-B for specialty items and Texas-specific products
For students living at 19Eleven on S 8th Street, ALDI and H-E-B are both along Valley Mills Drive — you can knock out both stores in one trip.
Walmart Supercenter — 24-Hour Convenience
Address: 4320 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76710 Hours: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM, daily Drive from 19Eleven: ~8 minutes
Walmart is the closest large grocery option to Baylor's campus. While it's not the most exciting shopping experience, it's reliable for:
- Late-night runs for essentials
- Non-grocery items you need alongside food — cleaning supplies, school supplies, dorm/apartment basics
- Walmart+ membership ($12.95/month) includes free delivery on orders over $35, which can be worth it if you split the cost with roommates
Walmart also offers Instacart and DoorDash delivery to apartments near campus, with same-day windows available most days.
Brookshire Brothers — Quick and Close
Address: Multiple Waco locations Hours: Vary by location (typically 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM)
Brookshire Brothers is a smaller regional chain that works well for quick trips when you don't need a full grocery haul. The stores are less crowded than H-E-B or Walmart, and the deli and bakery sections are solid.
It won't be your weekly shopping destination, but it's a good backup when you just need a few things and don't want to deal with a packed parking lot.
On-Campus Options
Baylor Campus Market (Bill Daniel Student Center)
If you live on or near campus and need something quick, the campus market in the Bill Daniel Student Center carries snacks, drinks, frozen meals, and basic pantry items. Prices are higher than a regular grocery store — this is convenience shopping, not bulk shopping. Good for grabbing a drink between classes, not for stocking your kitchen.
Baylor Dining
For students with a meal plan, Baylor's dining halls handle most meals. But if you're living off-campus at a place like 19Eleven with a full kitchen, cooking your own food is almost always cheaper than eating out or keeping a meal plan.
Grocery Delivery: Skip the Trip
If you don't have a car — or just don't feel like driving — grocery delivery has gotten much better in Waco:
- Instacart partners with H-E-B, Aldi, and other local stores. Delivery starts at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35. Instacart+ members get free delivery. Windows run from 9 AM to midnight.
- H-E-B Delivery through the H-E-B app offers direct delivery for an additional fee, plus free curbside pickup
- Walmart+ Delivery includes free delivery on $35+ orders with membership
- DoorDash Grocery delivers from Walmart and select local stores — handy if you already have DashPass for food delivery
Pro tip: Split an Instacart+ or Walmart+ membership with your roommates. At 19Eleven's 4-bedroom floor plans, splitting $12.95/month four ways is about $3.25 each — less than a single delivery fee.
Budget Tips for Baylor Grocery Shopping
Groceries are one of the biggest variable expenses in your monthly budget. Here's how to keep costs down:
Make H-E-B store brands your default. Their quality rivals name brands at 30-40% less. Central Market Organics (H-E-B's upscale line) is still cheaper than Whole Foods equivalents.
Shop ALDI for staples, H-E-B for everything else. A combined trip saves 15-20% compared to doing all your shopping at one store.
Use the H-E-B app. Digital coupons load automatically, and the app tracks your spending. The "Meal Deal" section shows weekly dinner combos under $10.
Buy in bulk with roommates. Paper towels, rice, cooking oil, and cleaning supplies cost less per unit in larger sizes. With a 2-bedroom or 4-bedroom setup, splitting bulk purchases makes sense.
Don't sleep on Facebook Marketplace. Graduating students sell mini fridges, kitchen appliances, and even unopened pantry items at the end of each semester.
Check Baylor's food pantry. The Baylor Community Garden and campus food pantry provide free produce and pantry staples to students in need — no judgment, no questions.
Getting There from 19Eleven
One advantage of living at 19Eleven on S 8th Street is the straightforward access to Waco's grocery corridor along Valley Mills Drive. Here's a quick distance guide:
| Store | Drive Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart (Franklin Ave) | ~8 min | 3.2 miles |
| H-E-B Plus! (Valley Mills) | ~10 min | 4.5 miles |
| ALDI (N Valley Mills) | ~12 min | 5.1 miles |
| Brookshire Brothers | ~10 min | 4.0 miles |
All four stores are accessible via one main road, making a multi-store trip easy. If you're splitting groceries and transportation with roommates, one car trip can cover everything for the week.
Stock Your Kitchen, Save Your Budget
Grocery shopping in Waco doesn't have to be complicated. H-E-B handles 90% of what you'll need, ALDI covers budget staples, and delivery services fill the gap when you can't make the drive. The BSM shuttle on Fridays is a lifeline for students without cars.
Living off-campus with a full kitchen — like the loft-style units at 19Eleven with their open layouts and modern kitchens — means you control what you eat and what you spend. That's a significant advantage over dorm meal plans or eating out every night.
Ready to see what off-campus living looks like? Check out the floor plans or schedule a tour to walk through the space in person.
